Puerto Rico Party Weekend - Time to make it happen

Hey all,

For those did not get the update. It looks like full speed ahead for Rincon(West Coast) Puerto Rico. It seems to have everything we want within a short distance, SCUBA/SNORKEL beaches , rainforest mountains, golf, restaurants, if you're interested casinos are only a few minutes away. There are a few interesting historical points as well. The west coast is the more remote area of the island as compared with the touristy northeast, also boasts the most surfable waves in the caribbean. The Island is only 4 hours long from coast to coast in a car ride, so if you want to take a day trip it should not be a problem.

Right now here's the list of those interested:

Definites:

Ben Bennett
Sarah Spendlove
John Smart
Dave Burton
Rachel Morrissey

Almost in's:

Marni Myers
Jeremy Freeman

Still thinking:
Ann Steele
Brian Merrell

Accomodations:
We've been planning for 6 based on the response from folks, but I told most of the places (rental houses) that we have 6 for sure, and possibly 8. I've sent you some examples of housing we're looking at reserving. I want to reserve one very soon, so we can book accomodations. We are looking at moderate accomodations probably between $100-$145/ per person for the full 4 days. This means that most likely at least a couple of people will be sharing a queen sized bed, and others will have full or twin size beds. If you do decide you want to come, later, most of the places allow extra people on a futon/pullout, for a minimal fee...($20 per night or something, but we'd add that to the total and divy it up for everyone given there is room.)
See the website for the unit I think is our best option right now: www.elmiradorpr.com
(I'm still shopping)

Transportation: Most of the cheap and nonstop flights are to San Juan (SJU) even though BQN and MAZ are closer to our chosen area. We figure we can get a flight from D.C. to SJU for about $350-550 given holiday weekend. The Nonstop is 3 1/2 hours.... a one stop trip takes about 4- 8 hours with delays.

The dates I'm getting the house for are the 24th-28th, becuase that's when most people can go. Sarah and I may stay an extra day. But given that if you don't get a nonstop flight and you may have to drive 2 hours from the airport thursday 24th and Monday the 28th may prove to be complete travel days.

We have really not planned the coordination plane tickets yet but if you can take off thursday we might see if there is a late night on wed or red eye....

Cars: We planned to rent two intermediate size cars, it ends up costing about $150 per person for the week (for 6)

Activities are up to you. There is plenty to do, and I hope to get a house very near the beach (within walking distance) Sarah and I will be going on SCUBA trips at least 2 or 3 days in the mornings then hoping to spend afternoons with everyone. You're welcome to come SCUBA if you get certified, you still have time! Take a weekend course at a shop in the area, or take the course here and pass the certification test there!

Horseback, snorkeling, golf are all in the area, nightlife and casinos are nearby if you'r into that. Rinco has the best surfable waves in the caribbean too. I'm looking into a backwoods caving/mountatin trip. http://welcome.topuertorico.org/tinfo.shtml

Estimated costs of the basics: (I over estimate for good measure)
Plane: $ 500-600
Rental Car: $150
Housing Rental: $100-$145 per person for 4 nights (If you'd like more luxury let me know; it might cost a little more, if everyone's willing)

Total Estimated Basic Costs
$700-850

Outstanding Costs:
Meals: (TBD) Expect some groups meals at the house and some restaurant meals (restaurants prices are comparable to the U.S.
Activities: It's up to you!

Total Estimate Costs

$1000-$1200+

Please, "Reply to All" or post on the blog with your intentions, preferences, activities you think you'll be involved in and available travel dates.

All of you should also be on the blog at http://somewherebesidesduck.blogspot.com - if you're having trouble logging in go back to the email invitation to join the blog sent from blogspot and follow the instructions, you were all invited as authors, so you must accept the invitation to see the private blog.

April 22nd Update

Rachel is still checking on the place in the DR but most likely, we are going to Puerto Rico. We are staying in Rincon. We found some condos to rent for approximately $100 per person. The car rental will be about $150 per person so right now with car rental, accomodations, and airfare we are at approximately $850 per person. By the time you add food and activities you will be just over $1000

Here's a great site for getting the details about Puerto Rico.
http://welcome.topuertorico.org/tinfo.shtml

April 15th Meeting

Update.

So, Davy B, John S, Marni, Rachel, Sarah S. and Ben met on April 15th to brainstorm ideas about the vacation weekend. It looks like the options listed below are the front runners, based on the criteria of number and type of activities and cost.

Desired Activities;
SCUBA/Snorkel
Golf
Historical or interesting day trips
Nightlife/Great Food Places
Less Expenses

1. Puerto Rico
2. Dominica Republic (Casa de Campo)
3. Grand Caymans

The cost for the first two are aroudn $1000-$1200 including airfare, meals and activities.


Rachel is on point for finding out if we can get the Casa de Campo resort villa.
Dave and (others he may appoint) are on point for getting details, about actual availability for villas/accomodations
Sarah is on point for researching SCUBA activities.
All others should be looking for similarly prices venues.

Next week we are going to meet at Dave's house again Sunday night 6:30 for potluck dinner.
Next week our goal is to start booking accomodations!

Let's keep in touch!

Who wants to be totally impulsive and book a trip the week before from travelocity's "under $250" travel deals...we could let the trip pick us?? Then it is cheap, but we also get to go somewhere new?

Great Ideas--- People count

These are great ideas everyone! Just as a reminder, please leave your name at the end of the post.

Let's all chime in on cost. as I mentioned earlier, those who want to SCUBA will be adding more, so if we can find something for $700-900 that's a plus.

Also, given the nature of SCUBA, those who do it, must have a 24 hours before they board a plan or will be subject to nitrogen narcossis. So, that's why I though 5 days would be perfect. 1 day flight there, 2 days SCUBA or other activites, 1 day of activities before returning.
Here's the People Count
Expressed Interest:
Dave Burton
Ben Bennett
Sarah Spendlove
Ann Steele
rachel morrissey
sharyn hunt
alison beesely (maybe)

Out:
Duane Carling (duck)
Sara Steffenauer (no vacation)

No Reply:
melinda semadeni
jen warner
john curle
john smart
Jeremy Freeman
Travis Sorenson

Thanks,
-Ben

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman has some great package deals that weekend, roughly $600-$900. The Marriott Grand Cayman Beach Resort (a 4 star property) is a good choice. The package with that hotel + flight (out of DCA) is only $778 per person. Here's some info.

Amenity highlights: A free-form pool stretches 85 feet where pool aerobic classes are held. Adjacent is a spa tub that holds up to 10 guests. A 100-yard beachfront features a snorkeling reef 50 yards off shore. A watersports center rents snorkeling and scuba-diving gear, personal watercraft, kayaks, speed boats, sailboats, and pedal boats, as well as arranges submarine, snorkeling, scuba-diving, and fishing trips; tube and banana-boat rides; waterskiing; parasailing; and scuba-diving lessons and certification courses.

Unfortunately, I can't make this trip since I don't earn any vacation days until mid-June. So don't have too much fun without me! :) But if you'd like to take another trip over Labor Day, I'm IN!

~Sara

Who's in and who has a passport?

So there are a couple of questions we need to decide right away before we can even start thinking about destinations.

1. As Ben notes in his headline the cost is going to be somewhere between $700 and $1500 per person. Since Duck seemed to hover right around $200 we're talking about a cost that is 3-8 times more expensive than Duck. So this brings the first question of who is in for this trip and do we need to set a price of what everyone is willing to pay or are we all cool with the $700-$1500 range?

2. As of January first there is now a requirement that you have a passport when traveling anywhere outside of the US including Canada and Mexico. Does everyone have a passport or do we need to keep this trip to the 50 states? I hear the Beaches in FL and GA are lovely that time of year.

Email from Sharon about Possibilites

Thanks for sending this out...I would love to go somewhere that >weekend...I can help look for vacation packages next week when I return >from my conference...There were some deals for Puerto Rico on Orbitz, but I >didn't look for specific dates.

> Sharyn
>

Email From Dave to Ben about Possibility

How much were you looking to spend on this trip? I just called expedia and she checked several options and the lowest she could find is about $700 to the Bahammas. Leaving Friday and coming back on Tuesday. That includes hotel and airfare. 2 people per room.

Dave

Memorial Day - Somewhere Besides Duck - Preferrably Tropical

I've been to Duck oh maybe 5 years and I'm ready to see something new for my Memorial Day weekend. I've recently SCUBA certified and am looking to try out my new hobby in someplace tropical. But even if you don't SCUBA, I want to plan a trip away around that weekend. Snorkeling is always fun and cheaper.

Right now the dates are May 24th- May 29th
I expect the cost will be somewhere between $700-1500.

I've put you on my exploratory committee for a Tropical Memorial Day Getaway. If I've forgotten one of "the friends" forward this email their address to me to put them on this blogsite. This is a private blog so only members I add can see it. I think this is the best way for us to communicate since we are all so busy. Please make comments on this site for the whole group to see.

Here are the desired criteria for suggestions;

At least Five day getaway to someplace warm and exotic. (Bahamas, St Thomas, Costa Rica, Key West) Moderately priced getaways, cheaper is better, but we all need some quality R&R as well.
Must include places to SCUBA/SNORKEL, for those who want to participate and things for those who don't. Might be fun to have a place where some could come for shorter days and others could stay the full length.